Quiz: Howstuffworks

Can You Identify All Of These Kitchen Tools And Gadgets?

Jacqueline Samaroo

Image: Kaboompics.com / Pexels

About This Quiz

HOT stuff! Here is a mouthwatering quiz to satisfy the home chef in you!

When creating masterpieces in the kitchen, there is no shortage of tools and gadgets to help you get the job done. Like, who knew there were so many different types of knives? From shucking oysters to dicing herbs - there seems to be a knife for every culinary task.

Take that crescent-shaped knife, for example. Do you know what that one is used for? Better yet, do you know what it is called? We put it in the quiz, so jump right in and take a swing at it!

There is nothing quite like digging into a soft-boiled egg - perhaps with some perfectly browned toast fingers (a.k.a. soldiers). Getting the top off the egg can be a challenge, however, unless you have one of those handy little gadgets specially designed for it. Can you tell what tool we are thinking of? Take the quiz, and let's see if you are right!

Do you think you have got the mad skills required to whip up just about anything in the kitchen? If you do, then you can probably identify every single one of these kitchen tools and gadgets. Take a crack at the quiz and see how you do!

Anthony Myers via YouTube

Do you know what this mixing tool is called?

Egg scissors

Silicone baking mat

Colander

Flat whisk

The first impression most people have of the flat whisk is that it looks just like the common balloon whisk – but flattened. The design of this whisk makes it the ideal tool for mixing pan sauces and for making roux. In fact, it is often referred to as the roux whisk.

stafichukanatoly / Pixabay

Can you identify this large serving spoon?

Stand mixer

Ladle

Salad spinner

Bamboo steamer

There are basically two types of ladle: the small sauce ladle and the larger soup ladle. Regardless of size, the best ladles have a handle set at 90 degrees to a spherical bowl. One ladle variation is the slotted ladle, which is used for retrieving foods (like hard-boiled eggs) from the liquid they are cooked in or stored in.

WIki Commons by Donovan Govan

What is the name of the crushing tool in this image?

Potato masher

Dutch oven

Tongs

Knife sharpener

The potato masher often gets blamed for leaving lumps in mashed potatoes, so many people prefer to reach for a potato ricer instead. Truth is, it’s all in the technique. By using a press-and-twist motion, together with ensuring you get to all corners of the bowl, you should see your potato masher producing heavenly clouds of fluffy potatoes every time!

Wiki Commons by Fritzs

Which gadget for squeezing limes and oranges is shown here?

Mezzaluna

Citrus press

Slow cooker

Cookie scoop

When a recipe calls for more than a quarter cup of citrus juice, it is advisable for you to reach for a citrus press instead of squeezing the fruit by hand. The citrus press comes in handheld and countertop versions, as well as in various sizes, with the smallest ones specifically designed for limes.

FSW via YouTube

Can you name this cross between a spoon and a sieve?

Offset tweezers

Cast iron skillet

Cleaver

Wire skimmer

This combination spoon and sieve is the ideal tool for removing food from hot oil and boiling liquids. They vary in size but typically have a long handle made of either wood or metal, to keep the chef's hands away from the heat.

LoubosHouska / Pixabay

Do you know what this tool for grinding and crushing ingredients is called?

Mortar and pestle

Microplane zester

Offset spatula

Mandoline

Both pesto and hummus were traditionally made with a mortar and pestle. Most chefs will agree that this is still the best method for making the two dishes, as it produces superior taste and texture.

rawpixel.com / Pexels

Which traditional Chinese cooking vessel is this?

Vegetable peeler

Melon baller

Wok

Grill pan

The wok is associated with the preparation of Chinese-style foods, such as stir-fries, but it is versatile enough to be used for a myriad of other dishes. For instance, the wok can be used for deep frying, making popcorn, steaming vegetables, mixing batters and keeping tortillas warm.

Oxo via YouTube

Can you name this device used for washing and drying vegetables?

Salad spinner

Oyster knife

Flat whisk

Pepper mill

The salad spinner is very handy for washing and removing excess water from all kinds of greens, as well as rinsing grit from vegetables such as broccoli and leeks. Many seasoned cooks know that it can serve the same functions for pasta, beans and berries, as well.

Sunday Baking via YouTube

Which rotating pastry helper is in this photo?

Corkscrew

Turntable cake stand

Laser thermometer

Cake tester

A turntable (or rotating) cake stand is by no means a necessity in every kitchen. For those who enjoy baking and decorating cakes, however, the turntable cake stand can be a very convenient tool. The best ones are heavy and sturdy, preferably made of metal, and completely flat on top.

ChefSteps via YouTube

Do you know the name of this razor-sharp slicer?

Cleaver

Tongs

Knife sharpener

Mandoline

The mandoline is the trick chefs have up their sleeves when they prepare enviably thin, perfectly sliced vegetables. Its razor-sharp blade is adjustable so you can vary the thickness of the slices, but you can be sure of getting perfect, even slices every time.

Bestseller4U via YouTube

What is the name of the cutter shown here?

Cast iron skillet

Egg scissors

Colander

Immersion blender

Slicing the top off a soft-boiled egg can be a messy job (and dangerous for your fingers). Egg scissors, however, do the job easily, quickly and cleanly. Other names and variations of this handy device include the egg cutter and the egg topper.

Wiki Commons by sfllaw

What name is given to the cooker shown here?

Oyster knife

Grill pan

Bamboo steamer

Egg separator

Bamboo steamers are typically stackable, allowing you to steam several foods at once while keeping them separate. It is advisable to line the steamer with parchment paper or with lettuce or cabbage leaves, to prevent food from sticking to the bamboo.

fotoblend / Pixabay

What do you call this device for removing the skin from certain foods?

Corkscrew

Vegetable peeler

Mezzaluna

Potato masher

Vegetable peelers make short work of peeling vegetables and fruits, without digging deep into and wasting the flesh underneath. Their designs include the straight peeler, the Y-peeler and the swivel peeler. Vegetable peelers are also good for shaving cheese and making thin slices of onion.

Wiki Commons by Donovan Govan

Can you name this tool for grating the skin off of citrus fruits?

Dutch oven

Mortar and pestle

Microplane zester

Pastry blender

The microplane zester is a type of grater designed to efficiently remove the outer, flavorful skin of citrus fruits, called zest, without getting at the bitter pith underneath. Experienced chefs put the zester to other uses also, such as grating ginger and nutmeg.

NikiPe / Pixabay

Which countertop device for blending ingredients is shown here?

Citrus press

Cookie scoop

Slow cooker

Stand mixer

Many people who own a stand mixer only use it for preparing cake batter. Seasoned cooks know, however, that they can rely on the stand mixer for combining meatball ingredients, whipping up pizza dough and even whisking a batch of eggs.

MILAIMAGES / Pixabay

What is the name of the broad knife shown here?

Cleaver

Wok

Pepper mill

Ladle

Apart from chopping straight through the bones in meat, the cleaver can be used to smash garlic and tenderize meat before cooking. It is usually recognizable by its large, broad blade, but there is a version of the cleaver made with a much narrower blade.

MTCKitchen via YouTube

Do you know what this handy device is called?

Japanese fish scaler

Cake leveler

Laser thermometer

Wire skimmer

This tool is also called a urokotori (Japanese for scale remover). It is raked over the fish from tail to head to remove scales. Most cooks prefer using the urokotori instead of a knife, since it is gentler on the skin and flesh of the fish.

Kitchen Spot via YouTube

Which non-stick liner is shown here?

Turntable cake stand

Melon baller

Flat whisk

Silicone baking mat

Silicone baking mats take on most of the jobs cooks would normally trust to parchment paper. They are reusable and work very well as cookie sheet liners when baking up batches of cookies.

Chris Lai via YouTube

Do you know the name of this device for reading food temperature?

Laser thermometer

Grill pan

Stand mixer

Mandoline

The laser or infrared thermometer is a type of noncontact thermometer. You simply point it at whatever you want to know the temperature of and pull the trigger. It is definitely less messy than other types of thermometers, and you run no risk of getting burned by a hot oven, food or pots.

Wiki Commons by Fae

Can you identify the type of pot in this image?

Vegetable peeler

Immersion blender

Tongs

Slow cooker

The inner cooking pot of a slow cooker is usually made of porcelain or ceramic, while the outer container is generally made from metal. It is not uncommon, however, to see slow cookers with both vessels made from metal. Oval-shaped slow cookers are preferred over the round ones when cooking whole birds or large cuts of meat.

Wiki Commons by Steven Walling

Do you know what this specialized cutting tool is called?

Offset spatula

Oyster knife

Pepper mill

Bamboo steamer

The short, stout blade of the oyster knife makes it ideal for opening (shucking) oysters. The handle on most oyster knives is pear-shaped so that it fits better in your hand and makes shucking easier.

America's Test Kitchen via YouTube

Which type of cooking vessel is shown in this picture?

Cake leveler

Pastry blender

Offset tweezers

Dutch oven

Two of the first things you notice when handling a Dutch oven are that it is thick and it is heavy. Dutch ovens are ideal for long-interval cooking and are often used for making braises and stews.

Wiki Commons by Assianir

Do you know what this curved slicer is called?

Salad spinner

Mezzaluna

Egg separator

Cast iron skillet

The mezzaluna is traditionally used for chopping up herbs and garlic. Its large blade, half-moon shape and double handle can make it somewhat intimidating for first-time users. Mastering the technique of using the mezzaluna is not difficult, however, and most people are comfortable using it after just a few short tries.

What is the fruity name of this handy scoop?

Melon baller

Mandoline

Knife sharpener

Knuckle pounder meat tenderizer

Apart from making perfectly shaped melon balls to add to a fruit salad, the melon baller can be put to work making balls of many other firm fruits. It can also make cheese balls and be used as a seed scraper to remove unwanted seeds from gourds, such as squashes.

Oxo via YouTube

Can you identify the simple and practical object shown here?

Cake tester

Egg scissors

Turntable cake stand

Mortar and pestle

A cake tester is one of the most basic cooking tools ever invented – a piece of stainless steel wire with a handle attached. Regardless of the “cake” in its name, this simple implement can also be used to test the doneness of all sorts of meats and vegetables.

RobynsWorld / Pixabay

Do you know what this type of cooking vessel is called?

Cake leveler

Microplane zester

Cast iron skillet

Citrus press

Modern cast iron cookware typically comes pre-seasoned with a thin oil-like layer which helps it to behave more like a non-stick pan. This tough layer should not be washed away with soap. You can help to maintain the seasoning by using your cast irons pots regularly for searing, frying and baking.

WorldKitchenBrands via YouTube

What is the name of the spoon-like utensil shown here?

Cookie scoop

Slow cooker

Wok

Immersion blender

Cookie scoops are essentially ice-cream scoops used for measuring and turning out cookie batter onto a baking sheet. They help to ensure that all your cookies are made with the right amount of batter.

tescomavideo EN via YouTube

Which special name is given to this bent tool?

Offset tweezers

Stand mixer

Wok

Japanese fish scaler

After preparing delicate morsels of food, having to pick them up and transfer them to a plate can be nerve-racking. That’s where a pair of offset tweezers comes in! The bent and pointed ends, along with the skilled hands of the chef, ensure that fanciful (and flavorful) creations remain intact when plating a meal.

Wiki Commons by Evan-Amos

Can you name this mixing device?

Corkscrew

Dutch oven

Egg separator

Pastry blender

Pastry blenders are traditionally made with a wooden handle and thick wires for cutting fat into flour and other dry ingredients. Modern versions have handles of wood, plastic or metal, and some replace the wires with metal blades.

Wiki Commons by Susan Slater

What is the name of the cooking vessel pictured here?

Mezzaluna

Grill pan

Ladle

Offset spatula

Grill pans help you to get the taste and look of an outdoor barbecue from indoor cooking. The pans vary in size, with some designed for use on one burner, others made to fit over two. They also come in round, square and rectangular versions and can be made from a variety of materials, including cast iron, enameled cast iron, stainless steel and copper.

malanbatmastar / Pixabay

Which multipurpose utensil is shown in this image?

Wire skimmer

Bamboo steamer

Offset tweezers

Colander

Good advice when buying a colander is to choose one with feet. These will keep the colander's base at least an inch above the sink and allow for better draining. Also, consider getting a metal one. There will be no danger of the metal one melting when used with hot liquids, such as when draining pasta.

Min An / Pexels

What are these handy food lifters called?

Potato masher

Japanese fish scaler

Tongs

Flat whisk

A really good pair of tongs should feel like an extension of your arm. They can help you to safely move food around in a pot or to grip, pick up and transfer food to another vessel. Some have a locking mechanism to reduce the risk of dropping food as you move with it.

jsnewtonian / Pixabay

Can you identify the bottle opener in this image?

Knuckle pounder meat tenderizer

Microplane zester

Turntable cake stand

Corkscrew

Corkscrews perform a simple task – opening a bottle of wine. With the wrong corkscrew, however, that can quickly become a very frustrating task. To make the job stress free, look for a corkscrew which fits comfortably in your hand and requires the least amount of rotations to bore snugly into the cork. As a bonus, go for one which incorporates a foil cutter into its design.

moreharmony / Pixabay

Do you know the name of this honing tool?

Egg scissors

Knife sharpener

Cake tester

Pastry blender

If you are ever in a situation where you are dealing with a dull knife and there happens to be no knife sharpener in sight, take a look around for a ceramic mug or plate. Flip it over and use the harder-than-metal unglazed edge to temporarily sharpen your knife.

SeriousEats via YouTube

Which type of mixer is shown in this photo?

Cleaver

Citrus press

Mortar and pestle

Immersion blender

The immersion blender goes by many names, including hand blender, stick blender and wand. It was originally called a “Bamix” by its Swiss inventor. Of all the immersion blender brands which are currently on the market, the Bamix brand is still very popular in commercial kitchens.

Wiki Commons by Lewis Ronald

What is this grinder called?

Pepper mill

Melon baller

Knuckle pounder meat tenderizer

Vegetable peeler

Chefs will attest to the fact that freshly ground pepper is far superior in flavor to the pre-ground type. A good pepper mill will produce consistent results, whether you need fine or coarse ground pepper. It will also fit comfortably in your grasp and not require too much cranking to get the volume and texture of grinds you need.

Viktor Viktor via YouTube

Do you know the name of the scary-looking tool in this image?

Wire skimmer

Laser thermometer

Knuckle pounder meat tenderizer

Colander

The knuckle pounder meat tenderizer is made to look very much like brass knuckles. This small tool can be used to beat, pound and pierce meat all over so that it will cook quickly and evenly.

Jovina Bakes via YouTube

Can you name the handy baker’s tool shown here?

Cake leveler

Potato masher

Salad spinner

Oyster knife

The cake leveler is one of many cake-sculpting tools used by cake makers. It helps you to get a nice flat top on a cake so that layers will rest securely, one on top of the other. Even if you are not creating a layered cake, a flat top is much easier to decorate and more presentable than a domed one.

Wiki Commons by Lionel Allorge

Which convenient kitchen tool is this?

Ladle

Cookie scoop

Egg separator

Silicone baking mat

There are a couple of methods you can try if don’t have an egg separator and must separate an egg (yolk from white). One is the egg shell technique, which requires some degree of skill, or you can just roll up your sleeve, loosely cradle the yolk in your hand, and let the white drain through your fingers.

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